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ATTENTION: This session requires advance signup to attend. For Online Schedule: Please utilize the RSVP link below the description to reserve your seat. For SXSW GO App: Use the RSVP 'Find a Timeslot' link. You must have a SXSW Interactive, Gold, or Platinum badge to attend, and, you must have an activated SXsocial account (social.sxsw.com) to reserve a seat. If you have any issues with signing up, please email support@sxsw.com. VERY IMPORTANT: Because of the limited space, we recommend you arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the published start time of this session. If you have not checked in at the room you RSVPed for at least five minutes prior to the session start time, you may lose your seat to an attendee in the waiting list line. Imagine going to the grocery store and getting turn-by-turn directions to the products you need, reminders for items you left off your list and coupons tailored specifically to you. Sounds helpful, but also a little creepy, right? Beacons are small, inexpensive wireless devices that broadcast radio signals to smart devices. Beacons are being utilized in retail stores, NFL stadiums and museums, providing personalized micro-location based notifications such as in the grocery store example. The power of beacons extends beyond customer service and into healthcare, education and agricultural infrastructure scenarios to improve quality of life and handle valuable resources. For example, beacons can be implemented to monitor and manage irrigation systems in developing countries to make efficient use of water supplies. This session will explore beacons - their privacy and security concerns, how to elude the creepy factor and using beacons as a champion for good.

Dir of Developer Programs at Bluetooth SIG, Bluetooth Special Interest Group

Steve Hegenderfer is currently the director of developer programs at Bluetooth SIG. Steve has worked in and out of the mobile space since 2000 and has seen many interesting things during this time. Nothing excites him more than seeing what crazy things developers will do next with... Read More →